Kokomo Tribune - Sunday, April 17, 2010

BOYS TRACK - Big Orange Invitational

Eastern won the meet with 163 points, Western was second at 152, followed by Speedway (53), Peru (48), and host team Hamilton Heights (43).Tipton was seventh (6).

The Comets got off to a hot start with wins in discus and the 3,200 relay. Blake Donson won the discus (159-10 1/2), breaking his school record in the process. Joey Price was second to give Eastern a 1-2 finish in the event. Sam Clark, Adam Schaaf, Mitch Padfield and Hansen Martin won the 3,200 relay in 8:39.81.

As the meet continued, Kelly Kingseed won the long jump (19-10 1/2). Kevin Jackson won the pole vault (13-6). Blake Thomas, Clay Marner, Dylan Buck and Gale Roark won the 400 relay (45.6). Martin took first in the 800 (2:03.8) with Padfield taking second. And Martin, Buck, Padfield and Brett Buckmaster took first in the 1,600 relay (3:33.94).

Also racking up major of points for Eastern was Reid LaRowe (second in both hurdles), and Roark, Buckmaster and Donson also added key points outside of first-place finishes.

"It was just a depth thing. When one team is just a little deeper than the other, it gives us an 11-point advantage," Eastern coach Paul Nicholson said. "Really that makes it kind of special that both teams [boys and girls] won, and then boom, they're off to the prom after putting together a great team effort."

Western also enjoyed a strong meet, led by high-point winner Indy Matthew. He won the 110 hurdles (16.11) and the 300 hurdles (42.07). Austin Young won the 1,600 (4:43.85) and the 3,200 (10:02.03) and was on Western's second-placed 3,200 relay team.

Among other key point-getters for Western were Matt Riley (two seconds), Garrett Welker, Dakota Bagwell, Trevor Buckalew and Chris Love.

"[Matthew] scored 29.5 points winning the two [hurdles] and came in second in the long jump. He had an outstanding day, really looked good in all his events," Western coach Marvin Boswell said. "Austin Young ran exceptionally well, ran a smart race in the 3,200 relay where he closed the gap up and set on this guy's shoulder and waited • till the last 100 meters [Western took second]. He comes out the next two races and wins the mile, and the two miles."

Boswell also noted strong efforts from Riley, Welker, and some big time improvements from sprinter Lucas Luckey.

GIRLS TRACK - Big Orange Invitational

Eastern crushed the competition with 149 points. Host squad Hamilton Heights was a distant second with 75.5, edging Western (75) and Tipton (73.5). Peru was seventh with 25.

Eastern's Bethany Neeley was the athlete of the meet with 32 points. She was first in the 3,200 (12:45), second in the 400, second in the 100 hurdles, and third in the long jump.

Zoe Wolfe won the high jump (4-10). Eastern's team of Lindsey Reprogle, Brittany Neeley, Joy Sommers and Emily Wilcox won the 3,200 relay (10:48). The Comets' team of Sonia Bogue, Jordan Powell, Liz White and Wolfe won the 400 relay (54.7). Brittany Neeley won the 400 In 1:01.9 and the 200 in 27.6. Emily Wilcox was second in both the 800 and the mile.

"This was a great performance by our team," Eastern coach Michael Goodspeed said. "I knew we were good and this was an opportunity to just prove how good we are. Winning by 75 points over second place, a very quality team, served notice.

"Beyond the first-place winners, we had lots of second runners who scored for us," Goodspeed said. He pointed to key place finishes from Reprogle, and Sarah Wagner which boosted the Comets. "That's significant when we can have our second runner score those kinds of points. [I'm] very excited about that and very excited to have the top meet performer on our team as well. The [Neeley] twins ended up scoring over 60 points by themselves."

Western's Casey Herr won the pole vault (8-0). Jennifer Dale and Allison Everetts were each second in two events, and Alleca Kerker and Corianne Myer scored well.

"Eastern ran away with the meet obviously, but for second place, it was a real close meet, good competition" Western coach Marvin Boswell said. "I was real pleased with the way Jennifer Dale came out and ran. We had several girls improve their times. I thought our girls were strong competitors. Corianne Myer really improved her time.”